Angels lose on night when Kurt Suzuki says goodbye and Michael Lorenzen makes case to stay
Angels starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani gets ready for the team’s baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani walks to the plate to bat in the top of the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Cole Irvin, a former Servite High standout, throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Tuesday night in Oakland. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Angels catcher Kurt Suzuki acknowledges the fans as he is removed from the game after the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. The Angels pulled Suzuki at that moment, allowing him to go out with a poignant moment in the ballpark where he broke into the big leagues in 2007. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Angels catcher Kurt Suzuki gestures as he is removed from the game after the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. The Angels pulled Suzuki at that moment, allowing him to go out with a poignant moment in the ballpark where he broke into the big leagues in 2007. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Angels catcher Kurt Suzuki gestures as he is removed from the game after the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. The Angels pulled Suzuki at that moment, allowing him to go out with a poignant moment in the ballpark where he broke into the big leagues in 2007. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Angels catcher Kurt Suzuki gestures as he is removed from the game after the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. The Angels pulled Suzuki at that moment, allowing him to go out with a poignant moment in the ballpark where he broke into the big leagues in 2007. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Angels catcher Kurt Suzuki acknowledges the fans as he is removed from the game after the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. The Angels pulled Suzuki at that moment, allowing him to go out with a poignant moment in the ballpark where he broke into the big leagues in 2007. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Cole Irvin, a former Servite High standout, throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Tuesday night in Oakland. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani is hit by a pitch thrown by Oakland Athletics’ Cole Irvin during the third inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani is hit by a pitch thrown by Oakland Athletics’ Cole Irvin during the third inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani crouches after being hit by a pitch during the third inning of the team’s baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a pitch during the third inning of the team’s baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a pitch during the third inning of the team’s game against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, right, jogs to first after being hit by a pitch during the third inning of the team’s baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Angels second baseman Luis Rengifo, right, catches a fly ball hit by the Oakland Athletics’ Nick Allen during the third inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp strikes out against the Angels during the third inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Angels starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Oakland Athletics’ Ernie Clement breaks his bat as he grounds out during the fourth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Angels in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Angels’ Luis Rengifo reacts after flying out during the fifth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Oakland Athletic in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Oakland Athletics’ Cristian Pache, right, slides back to first safely on a pick-off attempt by Angels starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Oakland Athletics’ Cristian Pache hits a single against the Angels during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Angels starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Oakland Athletics’ Nick Allen strikes out against the Angels during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Angels right fielder Taylor Ward catches a fly out by the Oakland Athletics’ Sean Murphy during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Angels’ Max Stassi strikes out against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani strikes out against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani walks to the dugout after striking out against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Angels left fielder Jo Adell is unable to catch a double by the Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Oakland Athletics’ Seth Brown watches his RBI single against the Angels during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp scores against the Angels on a single by Seth Brown during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp scores against the Angels on a single by Seth Brown during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp celebrates after scoring against the Angels on a single by Seth Brown during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Angels’ Livan Soto reaches second base as the Oakland A’s Tony Kemp is unable to gather the ball in the top of the ninth inning on Tuesday night in Oakland. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Livan Soto celebrates after advancing to third base on a throwing error during the ninth inning of their game against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night in Oakland. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Matt Duffy hits an RBI single against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Angels’ Liván Soto celebrates after scoring against the Oakland Athletics on a single by Matt Duffy during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Liván Soto celebrates after scoring against the Oakland Athletics on a single by Matt Duffy during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Oakland Athletics’ Sean Murphy watches his single against the Angels during the 10th inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Angels shortstop Liván Soto is unable to catch a single hit by the Oakland Athletics’ Sean Murphy during the 10th inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
The Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp, center, scores from third on a bases-loaded walk issued to Shea Langeliers by the Angels during the 10th inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. The Athletics won 2-1. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Angels relief pitcher Ryan Tepera reacts after walking the Oakland A’s Shea Langeliers with the bases loaded to drive in the winning run during the 10th inning on Tuesday night in Oakland. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Oakland Athletics’ Shea Langeliers (23) is mobbed by teammates after earning a walk with the bases-loaded against the Angels during the 10th inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. The Athletics won 2-1 when Tony Kemp scored. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
OAKLAND — The Angels’ 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night began with a couple of former Cal State Fullerton players sharing a hug on the mound.
One was ending his career, and one was making a final statement to continue next year with the Angels.
Catcher Kurt Suzuki caught Michael Lorenzen’s first pitch of the night, and then Suzuki was joined by his teammates on the mound for hugs as he said goodbye to a 16-year career in the majors. The Angels pulled Suzuki after one pitch, allowing him to go out with a poignant moment in the ballpark where he broke into the big leagues in 2007.
“That was a pretty special moment, walking on the field for the last time, caught my last pitch,” Suzuki said. “Kinda crazy. It hasn’t really set in yet.”
Once the ceremonial portion of the night was over, Lorenzen pitched six scoreless innings, finishing off his first season as a starting pitcher. Lorenzen had a 4.24 ERA in 18 starts.
He ended up with no decision. Ryan Tepera walked Shea Langeliers with the bases loaded in the 10th to end it. The Angels had just seven hits, none for Shohei Ohtani, whose 18-game hitting streak ended.
As for Lorenzen, the Orange County native has said repeatedly that he wants to return to the Angels as a starter again next year. After signing a one-year deal last winter, he is about to become a free agent.
“It’s been awesome,” Lorenzen said. “It’s been a dream come true. I really just want to see the Angels be successful. I want to be a part of that. I think it would be even more of a dream come true to be a part of that.”
Manager Phil Nevin acknowledged some difficulties Lorenzen had in his first year – including an injury that cost him two months – but said he was pleased with his performance.
“Flashes of greatness,” Nevin said. “He’s been pretty consistent, to be honest with you, when he’s been healthy. I like what I’ve seen. What does that mean for us going forward? I don’t know. Those are things we’ll talk about in the offseason.”
Lorenzen gave up 10 earned runs in six innings in the two starts he made while dealing with shoulder trouble. He had a 3.83 ERA in his other 16 starts. Lorenzen said he considered his two-month stint on the injured list to be a “mini offseason” to make some adjustments, and he had a 2.36 ERA in five starts after that.
“I really like the adjustments that I made paid off,” Lorenzen said. “I’m going to take that feedback and I’ll be able to just stay on track really during the offseason. So it gets me going in the offseason with kind of a clear head and knowing exactly what I needed to do.”
While there’s a chance that Lorenzen is back next year, Suzuki is finished.
The veteran catcher said a couple of weeks ago that this would be it, and coincidentally his final game was on his 39th birthday, and in Oakland.
Nevin orchestrated the moment for Suzuki, allowing his teammates and the A’s fans to recognize him for a career that included a World Series title and an All-Star appearance.
Phil Nevin calls Angels’ Shohei Ohtani ‘best baseball player that’s played the game’
After catching Lorenzen’s first pitch, Suzuki tucked the ball into his back pocket as Nevin called time and walked to the mound, as if to make a pitching change. This was a catching change, though. Max Stassi entered, and Suzuki left.
As Suzuki hugged his teammates, players in both dugouts and the thousands of fans in the stands gave him a standing ovation.
“I’m not Albert Pujols or Yadi Molina or something like that,” Suzuki said. “To get that kind of ovation, respect, type of thing, it means the world to me. It’s a very special moment. This place in Oakland is a very special place for me. This is where it all started. I grew up here as a baseball player. To finish here was pretty cool.”
Suzuki waved to the dugouts and to his family in the stands, walking off the field for the final time as a major leaguer.
“Just a true professional,” Angels star Mike Trout said before the game. “I got to play with him the last couple of years. I’ve never really seen him mad. Always brought that smile. Always brought that energy. Just an unbelievable teammate. A lot of people don’t see it, because they’re not in the clubhouse, but what he brings to the clubhouse, what he means to the younger guys, the young catchers, even myself. Just seeing how he handles himself and brings that energy and positivity to a ball club, you can’t teach that.”
